Tank car loading unit

ABSTRACT

An adjustable filling spout structure for loading liquids wherein the spout is supported by an apparatus of lazy tong configuration incorporating a pair of jointed conduit and bar arms. The conduit arm is connected at its inboard end through a 90* elbow and a first horizontal swivel to a second 90* elbow which is connected to a fixed, upright supply conduit through a vertical swivel, and at its outboard end through 90* elbows and a second horizontal swivel to a downwardly depending spout. The spout can be moved in a vertical plane as the supporting structure is pivoted about the axis of the first horizontal swivel, and the apparatus is fully counterweighted along this axis. Driven toggle joint elements control the space between the arms and hence the outward displacement of the spout, while slewing means move the spout about in a circle as the apparatus is turned with reference to the fixed supply conduit.

United States Patent Baudras {451 l )e c 12,1972

[54] TANK CAR LOADING UNIT 1,346,050 11/1963 France ..137/615 1 [72] Inventor: Andre Baudras, Sens, France Primary Examiner-Edward J. Earls 1 Assignee mgg g e q g ggg qfi AttrneyF. w. Anderson and c. E. Tripp ceat, Sens, France 57 ABSTRACT [22] Flled: Sept 1970 An adjustable filling spout structure for loading liquids [21] A NQ 74,724 wherein the spout is supported by an apparatus of lazy tong configuration incorporating a pair of jointed conduit and bar arms. The conduit arm is connected at its [52] US. Cl. ..l4l/387, 137/615, 2248/277, inboard end through a 9 0 elbow. and a first horizontal [51] Int C] B6 swivel to a second 90 elbow which is connected to a 0 o I a u a v s n I u a u I v n I n: I v n s u v n v a:----- a [58] Fleld g g tg g -iz ggg and at its outboard end through 90 elbows and a 182/40 212/48 5 second horizontal swivel to a downwardly depending spout. The spout can be moved in a vertical plane as the supporting structure is pivoted about the axis of [56] l References Clted the first horizontal swivel, and the apparatus is fully UNITED STATES PATENTS counterweighted along this axis. Driver;1 toggle joint elements control the space between t e arms and 3 2 hence the outward displacement of the spout, while 3 2 3/1968 er "137/615 X slewing means move the spout about in a circle as the S on apparatus is turned with reference to the fixed supply FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS condult- I 758,389 5/1967 Canada "137/615 16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures I6 1 37 12 a 40 58 3e 30 l r 2/ 18 l A l 0, 95 89 88 fl 76 7 l9 85 \ll? 96 ll16 r. 25 I *{l0\ 1 n, I, i Fa r-Q 26 20 2? I 86 :3 \wzj i 29 I0] I00 o 73 9e t o PATENTED DEC 12 [m2 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ANDRE BAUDRAS PATENTED 1973 3,705,610

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 II IE- E.

INVENTOR. ANDRE BAUDRAS BYJMW Gar-@ 50 AITOE/VEVS .PATENTEHDEB 12 1972 3,705.61 0

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 12 [NI EH70]? ANDKRE BAUDRAS ag flaw ATTORNEYS PATENTED 12 I97? 3, 705 6 l D 4 Sheets-Swat ANVENTOR. ANDRE BAUDRAS ATTORNEYS TANK CAR LOADING UNIT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The unit of the present invention is an all metal, articulated pipe line designed for loading tank cars through an open dome in the top of the car. In service of this character, it would be desirableif the spout, or drop pipe, could be brought downwardly into loading position within the car by movement along a substantially straight vertical path, and it is an object of this invention to provide a structure which permits this movement. A still further object is to provide a structure which permits the spout to be moved horizontally about a central pivot point as well as to be moved inwardly or outwardly from said point to permit accom- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has been found that the foregoing and other objects of the invention can be achieved by the provision of an adjustable filling spout structure for loading liquids wherein the spout is supported at a distance from the supply conduit by a fully counterweighted apparatus of lazy tong configuration mounted for movement in a vertical plane and incorporating a jointed reinforcing arm and a joined conduit arm. Each arm has two sections and the corresponding sections of each arm are of equal length. The conduit arm, which forms an articulated liquid transmission line with the supply conduit and the spout, or drop pipe, is connected at its inboard end through a 90 elbow and a first horizontal swivel to a 90 supply conduit elbow which, in turn, is connected to a fixed upright supply conduit through a vertical swivel. At its outboard end, the conduit arm is connected through 90elbows and a second horizontal swivel to the depending spout. The reinforcing arm, which is offset from the conduit arm but generally aligned therewith, is pivotally connected at its inboard end to the 90 supply conduit elbow along the axis of the first horizontal swivel. At its outboard end, the reinforcing arm is connected to the corresponding end of the conduit arm.

The apparatus includes reach adjusting means operating to control the spread between the lazy tong arms and hence the outward displacement of the spout. These means preferably comprise a toggle joint assembly, actuated by a double acting hydraulic cylinder, wherein the arms of the toggle joint are connected to the respective inboard sections of the reinforcing and conduit arms. By selecting a linkage of appropriate geometry, as will be discussed below in connection with the drawings, it is possible to provide a structure wherein, with the reach adjusting means locked in a given position, the spout may be moved upwardly and downwardly for travel along a substantially vertical line.

The apparatus also includes height adjusting means which pivot the lazy tong linkage and the connected spout about the axis of the first horizontal swivel, as well as slewing means for moving the said apparatus in a horizontal plane about the axis of the vertical swivel.

While all three of said adjusting means preferably consist of double acting hydraulic cylinders supported by a platform fixedly mounted to the supply conduit elbow, it is readily possible to effect each of the reach adjusting, height adjusting and slewing movements by hand. To this end, as well'as to minimize the moment load imposed on the upright supply conduit which supports the structure hereof, the weight of the lazy tong arms and of the spout is fully counterweighted at the point of pivotal movement about the first horizontal swivel. Further, a second counterweight is preferably employed which is positioned along the conduit arm so as to balance the weight of the spout and the outboard conduit arm section as thelatter moves with reference to the inboard conduit section.

The apparatus also includes a step-back device comprising a spring-loaded push rod extending from the bottom of the spout which, when moved into the spout, activates a switch which stops downward movement of the spout and causes the same to move upwardly a few inches.

The designation of swivels as being horizontal or vertical refers to the directionof their longitudinal axis around which the movable parts rotate.

Invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the ac companying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same is merely illustrative of the invention and that the invention is capable of modification and change, and comprehends other details of construction without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an adjustable filling spout structure embodying the features of the present inventron;

FIG. 2 is plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are generally schematic in nature and show the essentially straight vertical motion taken by the spout as the apparatus supporting the same is moved progressively, in a reach-locked condition, from a fully raised, to a mid, to a fully lowered position;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic showing of a portion of the control circuit of the tank car loading unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a downwardly oriented upright riser pipe 10 supported in a fixed position on a support frame (not shown) that is anchored to the ground. Said pipe serves as the conduit through which liquid to be loaded is supplied to spout 12 through the inboard and outboard sections 15 and 16, respectively, of a jointed conduit arm generally indicated at 17. The latter arm is positioned above a jointed reinforcing arm generally indicated at 18 and having an inboard section 19 and an outboard section 20. The corresponding sections of each arm are of equal length. These arms collectively make up a lazy tong structure, disposed in a vertical plane, which supports the downwardly depending spout l2.

The riser pipe 10 is provided with a horizontal flange 25 fitted with a vertical swivel joint 26, in which is swivably mounted a 90 supply conduit elbow 27. A

lOlOSO 0400 first horizontal swivel joint 28 is connected to the elbow 27, and the conduit arm 17 is swivably mounted within the said joint through a 90 elbow 29. As seen more particularly in FIG. 2, the arm 17 comprises, in addition to the elbow 29, a straight section 30, a 90 elbow 31,-a second horizontal swivel joint 33, a 90 elbow 35, a straight conduit section 36, a 90 elbow 37 and a third horizontal swivel joint 38, all three horizontal swivels having parallel axes and lying in the same vertical plane. The elements 29, 30 and 31 collectively make up the inboard conduit section (designated 15 in FIG. 1) of arm 17, while the elements 35', 36 and 37 make up the outboard conduit section designated at 16. Inboard section 15 thus has the shape of a U, while outboard section 16, which is in communication with the inboard section through the joint 33, has the shape of an inverted U having a base portion which is somewhat offset from the inboard arm section. Said base portion provides a mounting point for the outer end of arm 18 at pivot joint 40 which, along with the pivot joint 41 at which the inboard end of .said arm is secured to the elbow 27 along the axis of the horizontal swivel joint 28, permits arm 18 to be in parallel planar alignment.

with the straight sections of arm 17.

The spout 12 is provided at its upper end with an elbow 45 which swivels within the joint 38, it being noted that the spout is thus always free to assume a perpendicular position. An upper section of the spout is also fitted with an annular bracket 46 on which is mounted a flexible cable 47. The bottom of spout 12 is provided with an inset deflector element 48 having an outwardly flared lower edge, and a spring-loaded push rod 49 is inset within the deflector tube. This rod is connected through the flexible drive cable 47 and a relay box mounted to a lower surface of the inboard conduit arm 15 to a valve 50 (FIG. 6) that communicates with a valve 51 which, as will be explained hereinafter, is in the circuit of a power cylinder controlling vertical movement of the spout 12. In operation, when the rod 49 touches down against the bottom of a tank to be loaded, the rod is pushed upwardly, and such motion is transmitted to valve, 50. As will be explained below, this has the effect of stopping the downward movement of the spout and of thereafter raising the same for a brief interval of time so that the weight of the spout will not be borne by the car.

' The combined weight of the spout and its supporting assembly is balanced by the counterweight which is mounted to the inner end of the conduit section 30, the mass of the counterweight being positioned on the opposite side of the axis of rotation through swivel 28. A second counterweight 61, effective to balance the weight of the outboard arm section 16 and the spout depending therefrom, is mounted to the elbow 35, the mass of the counterweight being positioned on the opposite side of the axis of rotation through swivel 33.

A platform generally indicated at in FIG. 1 is fixedly mounted to the elbow 27 and extends horizontally for a relatively short distance in a plane between that of the inboard arm sections 15 and 19. The platform comprises side pieces 71 connected at their inner end to the elbow 27, and having a rotatable pin 72 extending between said pieces at their forward end. Each side carries a depending ear 73 having a bore therein, and the central upper margins of the sides collectively support a raised, open-ended housing 76.

Pivotally mounted about the pin 72 are a pair of slotted crank plates 80. Positioned between these plates is a double acting hydraulic cylinder keyed to pin 72, and having connecting hydraulic lines 86 and 87. A piston rod 88 extends from cylinder 85 for connection with a cross pin 89 which travels within slots 90 cut in the sides of plates 80. Said cross pin extends through the slots for pivotal connection with the inner ends of toggle joint arms and 96 which are pivotally connected at their outer ends to corresponding mid portions of the inboard arm sections 15 and 16.

In operation, outward movement of piston rod 88 increases the spread between the arms and moves spout 12 closer to supply conduit 10, and vice versa. The distance from the axis of swivel 28 to pin 72 is substantially the same as the distance from pin 72 to the cross pin 89 over much of the relatively short travel path of the piston rod 88. Hence, the geometry of the apparatus is such that (with the piston in cylinder 85 locked in a given position) the spout 12 will travel up and down along a relatively straight vertical line as the spout supporting apparatus is pivoted in a vertical plane about the axis if swivel 28. This permits of precise positioning of the raised spout for entry into the open dome of the car to be loaded.

The aforesaid vertical movement of the apparatus about the axis of swivel 28 is provided by a double acting hydraulic cylinder 100, provided with hydraulic connections 96 and 97, and equipped at its forward end with trunnions journaled within the bearing mounts provided by the depending ears 73 for movementin a vertical plane. Said cylinder is provided with a piston rod 101 which is pivotally lined by pin 103 at its forward end to the arm 102 of crank plate 80. Inward movement of the rod 101 into the cylinder communicates movement through crank plate 80 to toggle arms 95 and 96, thus acting to draw arms 17 and 18 and spout l2 downwardly. The reverse is true as the piston rod moves outwardly of the cylinder.

Conventional cam means, indicated at as being turned by the pin 72, and associated with a cam follower 111 in communication with the hydraulic control means, can be employed to define the limits of the upward and downward movements of arms 17 and 18,

and hence of the spout 12 carried thereby. Further, the

relay 55, responsive to upward movement of the rod 49 as the spout touches down against the bottom of the car, can be linked to the hydraulic control means so as to halt further inward movement of the piston rod 101 and cause the same to move outwardly for a brief interval of time so as to raise the spout several inches above the bottom of the tank being loaded.

A third double acting hydraulic cylinder 115 is employed to control movement of the supporting apparatus in a circle about the supporting conduit 10. Said cylinder is mounted for pivotal movement atop platform 70 within the housing 76 for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane. This cylinder is provided with hydraulic connections 116 and 117, and with a piston rod 118 which is pivotally connected to a crank arm 120 which projects from the fixed part of the vertical swivel 26. Thus, movement of the piston causes the elbow 27, along with all the apparatus supported thereon, to swivel about in a horizontal plane, thus turning spout 12 in a circle about the fixed supply conduit 10 in one direction or another depending on the direction of movement of piston rod 1 18.

The hydraulic controls for the three hydraulic cylinders 85, 100 and 115 are of the conventional type and are diagrammatically shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the control for each cylinder 85, 100 and 115 may be a three positioned spool type valve 125, 126' and 127 respectively wherein setting of the valve in one or the other of two of said positions causes the piston to move inwardly or outwardly within in the cylinder. The third position is a neutral one which closes all lines to the cylinder, thus achieving a hydraulic locking of the cylinder and fixing the apparatus in the prevailing positions of adjustment. Conduits 129 and 130 are connected to the pumps.

The hydraulic power for the unit can consist of motor driven and/or hand driven pumps connected in parallel on the main pressure line. A check valve is installed on the discharge line of each pump, with the power unit being protected by an adjustable relief valve.

OPERATION The tank car loading unit is stored in raised position so that the drop pipe 12 will not interfere with railway cars passing therebelow. In this stored position the three hydraulic cylinders 85, 100 and 115 are locked hydraulically by means of the associated valves. When a tank car is to be loaded it is moved to a position in which its dome is opposite the riser pipe 10. A movable gangway can then be extended over the car so that an operator on the gangway can open the dome. While the loading unit of the present invention can be manuevered by controls at a position adjacent the riser pipe, it is desirable that a set of remote controls be provided which include a push button unit 135 (FIG. 6) that can be manipulated by the operator on the gangway adjacent the dome. The operator first operates the slewing cylinder 115 to rotate the unit about the vertical axis of swivel joint 26 so that the vertical operating plane of the unit coincides withthe center-line of the dome. Next, he adjusts the reach cylinder 85 so that the drop pipe 12 is positioned over the center of the dome. Finally, he operates the vertical travel cylinder 100 so that the drop pipe is lowered straight into the tank. This movement is stopped automatically by the plunger 49 at the lower end of the drop pipe 12 and the pipe is then automatically raised a short distance from the bottom of the tank.

When the loading is completed, the reverse procedure is followed to bring the pipe back to stored position.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is obvious that many modifications and changes therein can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and sense of this invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, for example, the riser conduit can be oriented upward instead of downward, as shown. Again, the balancing systems can use springs or air accumulators instead of counterweights. Also, electrical controls could be provided instead of the pneumatic controls described.

I claim:

I. In combination, an adjustable support for a filling spout positioned in an outboard position with respect to a fixed supply source, comprising an upright supply conduit provided at its discharge end with a first conduit elbow connected to the upright conduit through a vertical swivel;

an adjustable, spout-connecting assembly comprising upper and lower jointed arms arranged in a vertical, lazy tong configuratiomone of said arms comprising pivotally connected inboard and outboard bar sections and the other comprising pivotally connected, inboard and outboard conduit sections, said assembly being pivotally supported by said first conduit elbow for movement in a vertical plane at a right angle to the horizontal portion of said elbow, the conduit inboard section being connected to the first conduit elbow through a second conduit elbow and a first horizontal swivel, with the correspond inboard arm bar section being pivotally connected to the first conduit elbow at the bend thereof along the axis of said swivel, and with the respective arms being pivotally connected to one another at their outboard ends;

a downwardly depending conduit filling spout mounted for communication with the outboard conduit section through third. and fourth conduit elbows carried at the respective adjacent ends of the spout and the conduit section and connected through a second horizontal swivel having an axis parallel to that of said first horizontal swivel;

a first counterweight mounted adjacent the inner end of the inboard conduit section and positioned on the side of the horizontal axis of said first swivel opposite the assembly for balancing the weight of the assembly and the filling spout about said axis as a pivot point;

1 means for interconnecting the communicating conduit sections to one another including fifth and sixth conduit elbows carried at the respective adjacent ends of said sections and connected through a third horizontal swivel having an axis which is parallel to that of the other two horizontal swivels;

and a second counterweight mounted adjacent the inner end of the outboard conduit section and positioned on the side of the horizontal axis of said third swivel opposite said section for balancing the weight thereof and that of the spout about said axis as a pivot point.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a fixed platform mounted to the first conduit elbow extends in the direction of the assembly, wherein said platform serves to support each of reach-adjusting means for controlling the distance of the spout from the supply conduit by varying'the spread between the arms of the spout-supporting assembly, height adjusting means for controlling the elevation of the spout by moving said assembly vertically about the axis of the first horizontal swivel, and slewing means for moving the spout in a circle by turning said first conduit elbow and the assembly supported thereon with respect to the upright supply conduit.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the reach adjusting means comprises a double acting hydraulic cylinder together with means for effecting controlled actuation of a piston therein in either direction and for locking the same in any position of travel, said cylinder being pivotally supported at its base by the platform for movement in a vertical plane, a cylinder rod extending from the cylinder, and a toggle joint having a knee portion which is connected to the end of the cylinder rod and a pair of toggle arms each of which is pivotally connected to a mid portion of one of the inboard arm sections of the assembly, and wherein the distance from the axis of the first horizontal swivel to the pivot point of the said reach adjusting cylinder on the platform is substantially the same as the distance from the latter pivot point to the point at which the end of the piston rod is connected to the toggle knee.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the height adjusting means comprises a double acting hydraulic cylinder together with means for effecting controlled actuation of a piston therein in either direction and for locking the same in any position of travel, said cylinder being pivotally mounted at its forward end to the platform for movement in a vertical plane, a piston rod extending from the cylinder at said end, and a crank arm mounted to the reach adjusting cylinder near the base portion thereof to which the piston rod of the height adjusting cylinder is pivotally mounted, whereby actua-- tion of the piston of the height adjusting cylinder causes the reach adjusting cylinder to pivot about its mounting axis while carrying with it the arms of the assembly as linked thereto through the toggle arms.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the slewing means comprises a double acting hydraulic cylinder together with means for effecting controlled actuation of a piston therein in either direction and for locking the same in any position of travel, said cylinder being pivotally mounted at its forward end to the platform for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, a piston rod extending from the cylinder at said end, and a crank arm mounted to the upright supply conduit and pivotally connected to the end of the said piston rod.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a spring loaded push rod extends downwardly of the spout at the bottom thereof, together with control means actuated by upward movement of said rod whereby downward movement of the assembly is halted and the assembly is moved a controlled distance upwardly by suitable actuation of the height adjusting means.

7. In combination a fluid-conducting riser; a conduit including an inboard section pivoted at said riser about a first horizontal axis and an outboard section pivoted to the outer end of said inboard section about a second axis; a control linkage including an inboard control arm pivoted about said first horizontal axis and having the same effective length as said inboard conduit section, and an outboard control arm of equal length to said outboard section and pivoted .to the outer end of said inboard control arm about a third horizontal axis; a drop pipe communicating with said outboard conduit section and pivotally connected thereto for movement about a fourth horizontal axis, said outboard control arm also being pivoted to said outboard conduit section for movement about said fourth axis; an elongated actuator mounted for pivoting about a fixed horizontal axis spaced outwardly from said first axis, said actuator having a drive end spaced from said fixed axis; a pair of links of equal length pivotally connecting said drive end of said actuator respectively to said inboard conduit section and to said inboard control arm at the same distances from said first axis; and means for moving said actuator along a circular path about said fixed axis;

movement of said actuator along said circular path being effective to move said drive end along a curved path of varying distance from said first axis, whereby said inboard conduit section and said inboard control arm are moved toward each other when said drive end moves toward said first axis and away from each other as said drive end moves away from said first axis; said control arms, said conduit sections, and said links being proportioned such that said drop pipe moves along a substantially vertical path during movement of said actuator along said circular path.

8. In a tank car filling unit, a fluid-conducting riser; a conduit linkage including pivotally interconnected inboard and outboard conduit sections communicating with said riser and mounted for pivoting about a horizontal axis; a control linkage pivotally interconnected to said conduit linkage and movable about said axis; a drop pipe in flow communication with said conduit linkage and supported for pivotal movement at the outer end of said conduit linkage; a linkage actuator including a member pivotal about a second axis spaced from said horizontal axis such that a distal portion of said actuator moves toward and away from said horizontal axis during pivotal movement of said member; and means interconnected between said conduit linkage, said control linkage, and said actuator member for pivoting said inboard and outboard sections relative to each other to increase the effective length of said conduit linkage when said distal portion of said actuator moves toward said horizontal axis and to decrease the effective length of said conduit when said distal portion moves away from said horizontal axis.

9. A unit according to claim 8 including hydraulic power means comprising a power cylinder and valves controlling flow to and from said cylinder for pivoting said actuator about said second axis to move said actuator and the connected conduit linkage in a vertical plane, movement of said conduit linkage downwardly in said vertical plane being effective to lower said drop pipe into the tank car to be filled; a control member carried by the lower end of said drop pipe and movable into engagement with the bottom of the car during lowering of said pipe; and means interconnecting said control member with said valves for energizing the power cylinder to lift the pipe a short distance in response to engagement of said control member with the bottom of the car.

10. A fluid transfer apparatus comprising, in combination:

a riser conduit;

an inboard conduit section pivotally mounted on the riser for movement with respect thereto about a first horizontal axis;

an outboard conduit section pivotally connected to the inboard conduit section for movement with respect thereto about a second horizontal axis;

a first support link pivotally mounted on the riser for movement with respect thereto about said first horizontal axis;

a second support link pivotally connected to the first support link for movement with respect thereto about a fourth horizontal axis, said second link alsopivotally connected to the outboard conduit section for movement with respect thereto about a third horizontal axis;

reach adjusting means for pivoting the inboard conduit section and the support link in opposite directions about the first horizontal axis to adjust the spread between said inboard conduit section and said first link, thereby adjusting the distance between the first and third horizontal axes; and

height adjusting means for pivoting the inboard arm section and the first link in the same direction about the first horizontal axis to raise and lower the inboard and outboard arm sections and the links, thereby raising and lowering the third horizontal axis.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the reach adjusting means comprises a first hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on a support fixed to the riser, a first piston rod extending generally toward said third horizontal axis from said hydraulic cylinder, a first toggle joint link pivotally connected at one end to the inboard conduit section and at the other end to said piston rod, and a second toggle joint link pivotally connected at one end to the first support link and at the other end to said first piston rod.

12. An' apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the height adjusting means comprises control link means pivotally interconnecting said support and said first and second toggle links, and a second hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on said support and having a second piston rod pivotally connected to said control link means. i

13. An apparatus according to claim 10 including spout means pivotally interconnected with said outboard conduit section for movement with respect thereto about said third horizontal axis, and means associated with said spout means for sensing the proximity of said spout means to the surface of a fluid container when said spout means is inserted therein.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said sensing means also is associated with said height adjusting means to elevate said third horizontal axis a predetermined extent in response to said sensing means contacting said fluid container surface.

15. An apparatus according to claim 10 including first means for counterbalancing said apparatus about said first horizontal axis.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15 including second means for counterbalancing said outboard conduit section about said second horizontal axis.

2 3" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1, no 7 i w CERTIFICATIU OI. C RR Patent No. 3 610 Dated August 2 1974 Inventor s) ANDRE BAUDRAS It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. .4, line 11, change "16 to l9 Col. 4, line 33, change "lined" to linked Col. 6, line l6,'change "correspond" to corresponding Signed and sealed this 12th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

I MCCOY PII. GIBSON JR. C, MARSHALL DANN Attestlng f 1cer Commissioner of Patents 

1. In combination, an adjustable support for a filling spout positioned in an outboard position with respect to a fixed supply source, comprising an upright supply conduit provided at its discharge end with a first conduit elbow connected to the upright conduit through a vertical swivel; an adjustable, spout-connecting assembly comprising upper and lower jointed arms arranged in a vertical, lazy tong configuration, one of said arms comprising pivotally connected inboard and outboard bar sections and the other comprising pivotally connected, inboard and outboard conduit sections, said assembly being pivotally supported by said first conduit elbow for movement in a vertical plane at a right angle to the horizontal portion of said elbow, the conduit inboard section being connected to the first conduit elbow through a second conduit elbow and a first horizontal swivel, with the correspond inboard arm bar section being pivotally connected to the first conduit elbow at the bend thereof along the axis of said swivel, and with the respective arms being pivotally connected to one another at their outboard ends; a downwardly depending conduit filling spout mounted for communication with the outboard conduit section through third and fourth conduit elbows carried at the respective adjacent ends of the spout and the conduit section and connected through a second horizontal swivel having an axis parallel to that of said first horizontal swivel; a first counterweight mounted adjacent the inner end of the inboard conduit section and positioned on the side of the horizontal axis of said first swivel opposite the assembly for balancing the weight of the assembly and the filling spout about said axis as a pivot point; means for interconnecting the communicating conduit sections to one another including fifth and siXth conduit elbows carried at the respective adjacent ends of said sections and connected through a third horizontal swivel having an axis which is parallel to that of the other two horizontal swivels; and a second counterweight mounted adjacent the inner end of the outboard conduit section and positioned on the side of the horizontal axis of said third swivel opposite said section for balancing the weight thereof and that of the spout about said axis as a pivot point.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a fixed platform mounted to the first conduit elbow extends in the direction of the assembly, wherein said platform serves to support each of reach-adjusting means for controlling the distance of the spout from the supply conduit by varying the spread between the arms of the spout-supporting assembly, height adjusting means for controlling the elevation of the spout by moving said assembly vertically about the axis of the first horizontal swivel, and slewing means for moving the spout in a circle by turning said first conduit elbow and the assembly supported thereon with respect to the upright supply conduit.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the reach adjusting means comprises a double acting hydraulic cylinder together with means for effecting controlled actuation of a piston therein in either direction and for locking the same in any position of travel, said cylinder being pivotally supported at its base by the platform for movement in a vertical plane, a cylinder rod extending from the cylinder, and a toggle joint having a knee portion which is connected to the end of the cylinder rod and a pair of toggle arms each of which is pivotally connected to a mid portion of one of the inboard arm sections of the assembly, and wherein the distance from the axis of the first horizontal swivel to the pivot point of the said reach adjusting cylinder on the platform is substantially the same as the distance from the latter pivot point to the point at which the end of the piston rod is connected to the toggle knee.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the height adjusting means comprises a double acting hydraulic cylinder together with means for effecting controlled actuation of a piston therein in either direction and for locking the same in any position of travel, said cylinder being pivotally mounted at its forward end to the platform for movement in a vertical plane, a piston rod extending from the cylinder at said end, and a crank arm mounted to the reach adjusting cylinder near the base portion thereof to which the piston rod of the height adjusting cylinder is pivotally mounted, whereby actuation of the piston of the height adjusting cylinder causes the reach adjusting cylinder to pivot about its mounting axis while carrying with it the arms of the assembly as linked thereto through the toggle arms.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the slewing means comprises a double acting hydraulic cylinder together with means for effecting controlled actuation of a piston therein in either direction and for locking the same in any position of travel, said cylinder being pivotally mounted at its forward end to the platform for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, a piston rod extending from the cylinder at said end, and a crank arm mounted to the upright supply conduit and pivotally connected to the end of the said piston rod.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a spring loaded push rod extends downwardly of the spout at the bottom thereof, together with control means actuated by upward movement of said rod whereby downward movement of the assembly is halted and the assembly is moved a controlled distance upwardly by suitable actuation of the height adjusting means.
 7. In combination a fluid-conducting riser; a conduit including an inboard section pivoted at said riser about a first horizontal axis and an outboard section pivoted to the outer end of said inboard section about a second axis; a control linkage including an inboard control arm pivoted about Said first horizontal axis and having the same effective length as said inboard conduit section, and an outboard control arm of equal length to said outboard section and pivoted to the outer end of said inboard control arm about a third horizontal axis; a drop pipe communicating with said outboard conduit section and pivotally connected thereto for movement about a fourth horizontal axis, said outboard control arm also being pivoted to said outboard conduit section for movement about said fourth axis; an elongated actuator mounted for pivoting about a fixed horizontal axis spaced outwardly from said first axis, said actuator having a drive end spaced from said fixed axis; a pair of links of equal length pivotally connecting said drive end of said actuator respectively to said inboard conduit section and to said inboard control arm at the same distances from said first axis; and means for moving said actuator along a circular path about said fixed axis; movement of said actuator along said circular path being effective to move said drive end along a curved path of varying distance from said first axis, whereby said inboard conduit section and said inboard control arm are moved toward each other when said drive end moves toward said first axis and away from each other as said drive end moves away from said first axis; said control arms, said conduit sections, and said links being proportioned such that said drop pipe moves along a substantially vertical path during movement of said actuator along said circular path.
 8. In a tank car filling unit, a fluid-conducting riser; a conduit linkage including pivotally interconnected inboard and outboard conduit sections communicating with said riser and mounted for pivoting about a horizontal axis; a control linkage pivotally interconnected to said conduit linkage and movable about said axis; a drop pipe in flow communication with said conduit linkage and supported for pivotal movement at the outer end of said conduit linkage; a linkage actuator including a member pivotal about a second axis spaced from said horizontal axis such that a distal portion of said actuator moves toward and away from said horizontal axis during pivotal movement of said member; and means interconnected between said conduit linkage, said control linkage, and said actuator member for pivoting said inboard and outboard sections relative to each other to increase the effective length of said conduit linkage when said distal portion of said actuator moves toward said horizontal axis and to decrease the effective length of said conduit when said distal portion moves away from said horizontal axis.
 9. A unit according to claim 8 including hydraulic power means comprising a power cylinder and valves controlling flow to and from said cylinder for pivoting said actuator about said second axis to move said actuator and the connected conduit linkage in a vertical plane, movement of said conduit linkage downwardly in said vertical plane being effective to lower said drop pipe into the tank car to be filled; a control member carried by the lower end of said drop pipe and movable into engagement with the bottom of the car during lowering of said pipe; and means interconnecting said control member with said valves for energizing the power cylinder to lift the pipe a short distance in response to engagement of said control member with the bottom of the car.
 10. A fluid transfer apparatus comprising, in combination: a riser conduit; an inboard conduit section pivotally mounted on the riser for movement with respect thereto about a first horizontal axis; an outboard conduit section pivotally connected to the inboard conduit section for movement with respect thereto about a second horizontal axis; a first support link pivotally mounted on the riser for movement with respect thereto about said first horizontal axis; a second support link pivotally connected to the first support link for movement with respect thereto about a fourth horizontal axis, said sEcond link also pivotally connected to the outboard conduit section for movement with respect thereto about a third horizontal axis; reach adjusting means for pivoting the inboard conduit section and the support link in opposite directions about the first horizontal axis to adjust the spread between said inboard conduit section and said first link, thereby adjusting the distance between the first and third horizontal axes; and height adjusting means for pivoting the inboard arm section and the first link in the same direction about the first horizontal axis to raise and lower the inboard and outboard arm sections and the links, thereby raising and lowering the third horizontal axis.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the reach adjusting means comprises a first hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on a support fixed to the riser, a first piston rod extending generally toward said third horizontal axis from said hydraulic cylinder, a first toggle joint link pivotally connected at one end to the inboard conduit section and at the other end to said piston rod, and a second toggle joint link pivotally connected at one end to the first support link and at the other end to said first piston rod.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the height adjusting means comprises control link means pivotally interconnecting said support and said first and second toggle links, and a second hydraulic cylinder pivotally mounted on said support and having a second piston rod pivotally connected to said control link means.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 10 including spout means pivotally interconnected with said outboard conduit section for movement with respect thereto about said third horizontal axis, and means associated with said spout means for sensing the proximity of said spout means to the surface of a fluid container when said spout means is inserted therein.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said sensing means also is associated with said height adjusting means to elevate said third horizontal axis a predetermined extent in response to said sensing means contacting said fluid container surface.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 10 including first means for counterbalancing said apparatus about said first horizontal axis.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 15 including second means for counterbalancing said outboard conduit section about said second horizontal axis. 